Experimental Design on Laminated Veneer Lumber Fiber Reinforced Composite: Processing Parameters and Its Durability

Abstract

The investigating of the hot press process parameters on the flexural properties of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) reinforced composites derived from rubber wood veneer reinforced with fiber glass woven and epoxy adhesive were performed via the DOE (design of experimental) approach. It was discovered that pressure was the most significantly and negatively effect on the product properties. Enhancing in the mechanical properties was related to decrease the processing pressure. Beside, press time was also significantly and positively effect. Although time was not clearly reflect from the mechanical results, but it was detected from the ANOVA (analysis of variance) results. The mechanical properties were increased with increasing compression time. From the results, the optimal condition to maximize mechanical properties was assumed at low pressure, 15 bars, low temperature, 70C, and long time, 60 mins. The durability testing including screw nail withdrawal strength, water absorption, and termite resistance of LVL reinforced composite were also studied. The results are shown that the LVL wood has superior properties when compare with solid woods. It was found the withdrawal strength of LVL reinforce composite was higher than the solid woods. As expected that solid woods, except eucalyptus, had low water absorption resistance as it more hygroscopic corresponded to LVL reinforced wood. Also solid woods, except teak, had low resistance to termite attack. Therefore, LVL reinforced was the best candidate by mean of durability properties compared to solid wood.